2015

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC) have launched a registry for users of medical cannabis in Quebec that will allow physicians to better manage its use and monitor patient safety. This innovative project represents the world’s first research database on the use of cannabis for medical purposes and places the province at the forefront of research in the field of medical cannabis. The registry was launched in response to a call by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) for guidelines on the use of medical cannabis in accordance with new government regulations. As of April 1, 2014, cannabis can only be prescribed “within a research framework,” as it is not a medically recognized treatment.

Today, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) completed the final phase of the largest hospital move ever carried out in Canada. In two hours, 17 inpatients were transferred safely from the Montreal Chest Institute (MCI) to the MUHC’s Glen site.

RI-MUHC team receives a $200, 000 grant awarded by the Movember Foundation and Prostate Cancer Canada. Fourteen forward-thinking Canadian prostate cancer researchers have been rewarded for their innovation with Movember Discovery Grants, funded by the Movember Foundation through Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). The winners were selected based on novel research projects that have the potential to make a significant difference in a number of areas across the spectrum of prostate cancer research.

The Montreal Children's Hospital successfully moved to new home

As part of Canada’s biggest hospital move, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) completed today at 10:57 am the transfer of the Montreal Children’s Hospital to the Glen site. Following the same rigorous methodology that proved effective for the adult patients transfer on April 26, 66 young patients were safely moved in a well-orchestrated operation which lasted 3 hours 57 minutes.

The Royal Victoria Hospital has now moved

Today, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) conducted the largest hospital move ever carried out in Canada, as 154 inpatients (139 adults and 15 babies) were safely transferred from the Royal Victoria Hospital to the Glen site. This move, which lasted 5 hours 20 minutes, is one of the key redeployment operations of MUHC 2015.

The MUHC has conducted the first islet cell transplant in Quebec. The breakthrough was made at the Glen site of the MUHC after the complex process of isolating islet cells from a donor pancreas was achieved at the MUHC Human Islet Transplant Laboratory. The procedure, which does not require surgery and reduces hospital stays ten-fold, is a significant advancement in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and marks the first step in what researchers hope will be the development of a regional network for this novel therapy.

2014

My First Surgery is now available on iTunes to help parents and patients better prepare for their first time in the operating room. Dr. Robert Baird, a practicing surgeon at the Montreal Children's Hospital, saw a need for a communications tool that could help ease parents' anxiety about the process. The interactive app breaks down each step by explaining what will happen before, during and after the surgery. Undergoing surgery is never easy for a child—or a parent-- but this app will help make the entire process a little less scary. In addition, the Department of Emergency has improved the experience of patients in the waiting room by creating an app through SMS alert, a text-in service that informs parents about the time of wait in the waiting room.

Twenty years ago, a breakthrough procedure at the Royal Victoria Hospital saved a woman’s life and spurred research into organ transplants. When Mavis McArdle fell into a coma because her liver couldn't filter blood properly, Dr. Jean Tchervenkov, former head of the RVH’s transplant program, and his team decided to use a pig's liver as temporary life support. They connected it to McArdle's veins so that it would clean her blood like a dialysis machine. The pig's liver kept her alive for several hours until a human liver was available the following day. Last December, McArdle reunited with her medical team to celebrate the anniversary and to encourage organ donation. For the moment, only human organs are compatible for transplants, but Dr. Tchervenkov expects McGill doctors to transplant pig kidneys successfully into humans by the year 2020.

Self-diagnosis is nothing new, but as Internet access increases, more people than ever are turning to the web for medical advice – the so-called Dr. Google phenomenon. But how can we be sure the information we find is accurate and reliable when we “search” our symptoms? Several years ago, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) launched its very own antidote to Dr. Google – the MUHC Patient Education Office. Now, after incorporating feedback from patients, healthcare workers and the general public, the MUHC is launching the education office on a new platform, which is tablet-compatible, search engine-optimized and social media-connected. The site can be found at www.muhcpatienteducation.ca.

With the move to the Glen commencing in less than a year and significant changes underway across the healthcare network, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has launched an online question and answer forum that aims to address concerns and clarify any confusion felt by the general public on issues surrounding MUHC 2015. The initiative, entitled Your Hospitals, Your Questions (www.muhc.ca/questions) allows individuals to submit their questions online and receive answers publicly from the MUHC on issues ranging from the transition to the Glen to the clinical services that will be offered.

A 60% drop in medication transcription errors and a 75% reduction in admission times for mental health patients were just two of the significant improvements seen from a major care re-design project at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).

2013

The very system that is meant to protect the body from invasion may be a traitor. These new findings of a study, led by investigators at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), reveal that infection-fighting white blood cells play a role in activating cancer cells and facilitating their spread to secondary tumours. This research, published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has significant implications for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

In September, The Neuro launched BigBrain, the first 3D atlas of the brain’s microscopic structures, a close-up of the billions of neurons, or brain cells, whose properties hold the secrets of healthy and diseased brain function. The atlas is reconstructed from 7,400 brain sections, each as thin as saran wrap.

A new international study has confirmed that self-testing for HIV is effective and could be the answer to controlling the global epidemic. This major systematic review, led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), shows HIV self-testing removes much of the fear and stigma associated with being tested for the disease. This study, which is published in PLoS Medicine is the first of its kind and could pave the way for early detection and treatment around the world, thereby reducing transmission.

2012

An international research team led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) has made a major genetic breakthrough that could change the way pediatric cancers are treated in the future.

The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has become the first hospital in Quebec to allow patients and visitors to use their cell phones within the institution. The move follows the successful completion of a pilot project that assessed the use of cell phones in certain areas of the MUHC. Although some restrictions will still apply, cell phones will be permitted in most waiting areas, clinics and patient rooms throughout the six sites of the MUHC. The new policy will allow patients greater freedom to keep in touch with family members and friends, whist maintaining patient safety and privacy.

By 2025, it is estimated that one in five Canadians will be over 65. The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) and McGill University launched the Montreal component of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) – one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on aging.

2011

The BCG World Atlas A world first in the fight against tuberculosis: McGill, RI MUHC researchers launch free online atlas of TB vaccination policies from around the world.

2010

We've Started: The start of construction at the Glen Campus of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has begun. At this event, the consortium selected to develop this pivotal project was unveiled.

The Montreal Children's Hospital unveils cutting edge intraoperative MRI: A new intraoperative magnetic resonance (MRI) unit, the first of its kind in a Canadian pediatric hospital, went on-line in The Montreal Children’s Hospital this year.

Lung Cancer Navigation Program coaches patients through complicated cancer therapy: Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, and treatment is complex, often involving radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

Celebrating 75 years of excellence: The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – the Neuro – marked its 75th anniversary.

The Montreal Chest Institute celebrates 100 years of excellence: The Montreal Chest Institute celebrated the 100th anniversary of its opening by King Edward VII. In honour of the occasion, Queen Elizabeth II sent a letter to congratulate the Institute on its accomplishments in respiratory medicine over the last century.

2009

MUHC Cancer Mission receives top marks from Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services: The MUHC’s Cancer Care teams received exceptional accreditation ratings from Quebec’s Direction de la lutte contre le cancer. The MUHC was awarded the most level-four designations in the province—the highest ranking possible—as well as the greatest number of supra-regional status designations. These teams set the regional standards for cancer care.

Canada’s first portable CT scanner benefits patients at The Neuro: Patients at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute now benefit from Canada’s first portable computerized tomography (CT) scanner. Since the portable CT scanner can be used at various locations in the hospital, it eliminates the need to transport severely ill patients for scanning and minimizes assessment time.

New CT scanner officially inaugurated at Lachine Campus: A new high-precision CT scanner was inaugurated at Lachine Hospital – one of the first steps in creating the MUHC Advanced Medical Imaging Centre at the Lachine Campus. The acquisition of this new scanner, valued at $1.5 million, will further enhance the hospital’s quality of care and allow staff to treat more people.

MUHC Breast Cancer Navigation Kit helps patients cope: To help women with breast cancer understand and cope with the disease and its treatment, the MUHC has developed an innovative patient resource: the Breast Cancer Navigation Kit. The kit has four sections: About Breast Cancer, Body-Mind-Spirit, After Treatment Ends and Practical Information. Patients are encouraged to bring the kit to each appointment.

2008

New Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Montreal Chest Institute: The new ICU includes individual rooms with flat-screen TVs, patient lifts and an enhanced ventilation system and nursing monitoring station. The $1.8 million project was financed by the Montreal Chest Institute Foundation through the “Best Care For Life” campaign.

The world’s first robot anesthesiologist, “McSleepy:" The world’s first robot anesthesiologist, “McSleepy”, joined the surgery team this year. The MUHC-developed technology constantly monitors patients during surgery and adjusts and administers anesthetic drugs, allowing its human colleagues to focus more on other aspects of direct patient care.

2007

Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program: Adolescents and young adults have a lot to deal with: leaving home, starting university, and launching a career. For some, there is another life-altering source of stress: a diagnosis of cancer. Ready to help is the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program.

The Child Development Program: Based at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Child Development Program helps children who require special assistance with complex issues such as socio-emotional health, language or behaviour.

Enlisting robots to help with surgery: The newest member of the MUHC health care team is actually a machine – a surgical robot to be precise. Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform prostate surgery more quickly and with greater precision, for faster recovery.

Family medicine comes to the community: Good family medicine starts with good access. That’s why the MUHC Family Medicine Department relocated this year to a highly-accessible, extended-hours clinic in the heart of NDG.

Lifesaving new procedure a resounding success: In a world’s first, surgeons at the MUHC, led by Dr. Renzo Cecere, implanted a minimally-invasive cardiac support system, called the Impella 5.0, into a patient suffering from acute rejection after a heart transplant. The life saving operation allowed the patient’s condition to stabilize and respond to anti-rejection medications.

2005

First frozen egg baby born in Canada: The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal is pleased to announce the first successful birth in Canada resulting from frozen eggs. Read the press release.

Surgeons at the MUHC have successfully implanted a new kind of mechanical heart in two patients, the first time this new technology has been used in Canada. Read the press release.

2003

Investigators at the Research Institute of the MUHC identify a gene that regulates the susceptibility to tuberculosis. An international research team led by MUHC Research Institute scientists Dr. Erwin Schurr and Dr. Thomas Hudson, identify a gene on chromosome 6 that makes people vulnerable to leprosy.

2002

Mechanical heart device (Berlin heart) is used successfully for the first time in Canada at the MCH as a bridge to transplant on the youngest patient ever in North America. Launch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Centre for Beta Cell Replacement at McGill University and Université de Montréal, headed by Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg of the MUHC MUHC researchers identify a gene underlying a common form of epilepsy. Investigators from the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology find that organs can be successfully transplanted following freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen.

First pediatric hospital in Quebec to offer transoesophageal echography for young children

1993

First hospital in Quebec to have a Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit First pediatric hospital in Quebec to offer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

1991

First hospital in Quebec to offer Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation - ECMO First living donor pediatric renal transplant program in Quebec First hospital in Quebec to develop a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Program (PALS)

1990

Doctors perform Canada's first hearing device bone-implant on a child. First hospital in Quebec to establish an Injury Prevention Program